Eugenol
Eugenol is a warm, clove-scented compound from clove and cinnamon oils, used as fragrance. It is one of the fragrance allergens the EU requires to be labelled and a recognised cause of contact allergy, so it is flagged for fragrance allergy and sensitive skin.
Eugenol is the main aromatic compound in clove oil and is also present in cinnamon, basil, and bay, with a warm, spicy scent and mild antiseptic properties.
It is listed in Annex III of EU Regulation 1223/2009 and must be declared by name above 0.001% (leave-on) or 0.01% (rinse-off). Eugenol is a well-documented fragrance contact allergen, so people who react to fragrance mix should avoid it.
Who this affects
Caution
- Fragrance allergy: A labelled EU fragrance allergen; a recognised contact sensitiser.
- Sensitive skin & eczema: A fragrance-derived allergen that can irritate reactive or eczema-prone skin.
Frequently asked questions
Eugenol is permitted in EU cosmetics and is not banned, but it is officially recognised as a fragrance allergen that must be individually named on the label above a set threshold. It is considered safe for most people at the low levels used in fragrance, though a minority develop allergic contact dermatitis. This is not medical advice; if you have reacted to fragranced products, ask a dermatologist about patch testing.
EU law requires eugenol to be declared by name in the ingredient list, in addition to the word "parfum," because it is a recognised fragrance allergen. This individual labelling is mandatory when its concentration exceeds 0.001% in leave-on products or 0.01% in rinse-off products. The rule exists so that people who know they react to it can identify and avoid it.
Yes. Eugenol is a well-known fragrance contact allergen and is one of the components of the standard "Fragrance Mix I" that dermatologists use for patch testing to diagnose fragrance allergy. In sensitised individuals it can trigger allergic contact dermatitis. A dermatologist’s patch test is the authoritative way to confirm whether you are allergic.
It can be both. Eugenol is a naturally occurring compound that gives clove its spicy scent and is found in oils of clove and cinnamon leaf, but it is also produced synthetically for perfumes, cosmetics and dental products. Because it comes from plants or is synthesised rather than from animals, it is generally suitable for vegan products — though "natural" does not mean it is free of allergy risk.
People with sensitive or eczema-prone skin are often advised to be cautious with fragranced products generally, since fragrance allergy is a common cause of allergic contact dermatitis. If you have a known fragrance allergy or have previously reacted, avoiding products that list eugenol is reasonable, but many people with sensitive skin tolerate it. This is general information, not medical advice — a dermatologist and patch testing give the definitive answer for you.